Ian Dempsey was worried and apprehensive when he made the decision to leave RTE more than 20 years ago.
During his time in RTE, the DJ was the face of Dempsey's Den and he fronted a host of radio shows.
Ian and his wife Ger knew the risks attached to leaving the station but, thankfully, everything worked out for him.
And he remains one of the nation's most loved radio stars.
Ian told RSVP Magazine: "I was coming up to 40 at the time and I felt if I didn’t do it then I’d never do it. Yeah, I was worried and apprehensive, but I had discussed it with Ger and the two of us decided to do it.
"We went into it with our eyes open and willing to accept the consequences whatever that would be, whether it was a complete disaster or a success – luckily, it worked out."
Ian wanted a new challenge at the time.
He said: "I made the decision to leave RTÉ in 1998 and I believe that was a good decision. I probably could have stayed in RTÉ indefinitely.
"I was doing OK there, but I felt I needed a challenge to spur me on and so I went working with younger, hungrier people who were trying to get something going again. I was into the commercial radio idea too. It worked out well."
The father of three said he has had a great time with Today FM over the last two decades.
He said: "At one of my milestone birthdays someone said that I had been very lucky and I remember people at the table being horrified for suggesting my career was down to luck. But he was absolutely right. I have been very, very lucky and I’ve had a fairly smooth run so far."
Ian worked in pirate radio before moving to 2FM and Today FM and, other than that, he had a few summer jobs.
He said: "Two of my uncles were electricians and they gave me jobs for the summer helping out, but I never had a real job.
"I have been lucky enough to have been able to work at my hobby. I often think it would be a total culture shock if I had to work 9 to 5 in an office. I finish at 9am, sometimes I’m out of there by 10.15am.
"I do have meetings with people and radio is the kind of job where you are always switched on, thinking and planning all of the time.
"It’s a 24/7 lifestyle, but compared to other jobs it’s not very taxing. It’s something that I can do naturally so I don’t sweat it, I’m relaxed enough doing it and I love it."
If Ian wasn't in radio, he still would be involved in the world of music and production.
He said: "I probably would have been involved in equipment, maybe in the sound business. My eldest son Shane has a podcast recording studio where he records and distributes podcasts. I could see myself doing something like that."
